Grove/Route 67 work starting in New Milford

Published 1:00 am, Thursday, April 9, 2009

NEW MILFORD -- After decades of talk, years of redesigns, hearings, permitting and property takings, the Grove Street/Route 67 project is about to start.

"Essentially we are ready to go," said
Tony Ciriello
, of Malone & MacBroom, the town's engineering consultant.

At an informational meeting Tuesday in Town Hall attended by about 60 residents, he said the aim of the project is to: relocate a portion of Grove Street to eliminate the unsafe Grove Street-Route 67 intersection; soften a sharp, downhill curve on Route 67; and address confusion at the intersection of Route 67, East and Bridge streets by forming a new intersection.

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Mayor
Pat Murphy
said it's a "well-prepared plan" to improve the safety of residents in the long run.

"I can't wait to get this started," the mayor said, adding an official groundbreaking is planned in the next week or two, with the date dependent on Gov.
M. Jodi Rell
's schedule.

Officials said it's a "very complicated, extremely complex project" that will be done in phases over two years and will require some patience on the part of residents and those driving in the vicinity.

John Nejaime
, the owner of the New Milford Spirit Shoppe at the Grove/67 intersection who had called for just a traffic light at the existing intersection, said Tuesday, "I'm resigned to it now. Hopefully it works out wonderfully for the town."

What's planned

During the first stages, the work will involve softening the sharp Route 67 curve at
Mallet Lane
to give more visibility and building a new section of Grove Street from 200 feet south of Mill Street northward in the valley between South Main Street and the existing Grove Street.

The new Grove Street will terminate at a new four-way, signalized intersection with partially widened Bridge and East streets and Route 67.

Resident
Joe Mammano
told officials his building behind the Citgo station has been shaking during the recent drilling for the utility work, and
Karen Aaker
said the
Booth House
has had similar "significant vibration" problems with some interior cracking on walls.

Officials said engineers and inspectors would be on the site throughout construction and there will be an office on Grove Street. Any concerns or questions can be directed to them or the town's
Public Works department
at (860) 355-6040.

"We recognize it's going to be a major project," said Public Works director
Mike Zarba
, adding his office wants to know of concerns.

Ciriello said the contractor, Dayton Construction, has a reputation for being responsive to concerns.

Several residents expressed concerns about drivers seeking to avoid the work zone, which will maintain two-way traffic except for short periods, and using neighboring residential streets as shortcuts. They asked that speed limits be enforced.

Some called for dead-ending Old Grove Street early to limit those cutting through to Mallet Lane. Ciriello said officials would revisit the timing of the closure.

The project is expected to finish by November 2010, but officials cautioned utility work can cause delays since it's not under DOT jurisdiction.

What's coming

Officials said the schedule is still being finalized.

Alan Dayton, of Dayton Construction, said crews are expected to begin surveying and flagging the project April 20 and start tree removal and begin digging in the vicinity of Mill Street by May 15.

Work hours will be 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

Early in the project, work will also begin on the reconstruction of Old Grove Street, which will be widened to 18 feet but eventually end in a hammerhead with no access to Route 67.

Dayton said the project includes $400,000 for landscaping.

"When it's all done, I think you will be really pleased with it," said Dayton, who explained he or one of his two brothers would be on the work site each day.

Additionally, the DOT will be replacing the Route 67 bridge over Great Brook with a wider crossing over a relocated and realigned brook about 100 feet to the north. That work will begin over the winter and be completed next year.

While the brook is relocated and the new crossing for Route 67 constructed, a temporary bypass between the firehouse and the lighting store, where Dominos and Robert's Auto were formerly located, will be built connecting Route 67 to the newly relocated Grove Street.

The temporary bypass will keep traffic out of the work zone and enable the fire department to have emergency road access at all times.

Late in the project plans call for the existing Grove Street to terminate at a cul-de-sac just short of the current intersection with Route 67.

The project also calls for drainage improvements, new decorative period lighting, new sidewalks, and simulated cobblestone islands to help soften the impact of the new four-way intersection.

There will be new retaining walls with simulated stone masonry in front of the Booth House and on the new bridge parapets.